“All four players have had fabulous college careers, with three of the four now graduated,” said Jesse Symons, Whitecaps FC women’s head coach. “Brittany, Alison, and Mary will be key players on our backline and Brandi will be a great addition to our attack. We look forward to each of them having an excellent first season with the ‘Caps.”

Brittany Galindo

Galindo, 22, comes to Whitecaps FC after recently playing for Hammarby IF of the Swedish Norrettan league. Prior to playing in Sweden, the Phoenix, Arizona, native had been training with Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) club Philadelphia Independence until the suspension of the 2012 WPS season.

From 2008 to 2011, Galindo played National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer at Oregon State University alongside fellow Whitecaps FC women’s players Chelsea Buckland, Jenna Richardson, and Erin Uchacz. The reliable defender holds the Beavers career record with 83 games played and started. Additionally, she also scored two goals and recorded two assists during her collegiate career. Her consistent performances saw her named to the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) All-Pacific Region third team in 2011 and All-Pacific Region second team in 2010.

Alison Fenter

Fenter, 21, joins Whitecaps FC after completing a strong four-year NCAA soccer career at Washington State University, where she was teammates with Vega. Like Galindo, Fenter holds school records with 86 career games played and started, while also having scored five goals. With her performance, the Spokane, Washington, native was named team MVP in 2011 and was the Cougars Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.

Mary McLaughlin

McLaughlin, 22, enters her first season with Whitecaps FC following stints with Iowa Rush and Arizona Rush in the 2010 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season. Prior to playing in the WPSL, the West Des Moines, Iowa, native played four successful seasons at Iowa State University. As co-captain in her senior season in 2011, McLaughlin started all 19 matches and led the Cyclones in minutes played to key her squad to a team-record-tying nine shutouts while also scoring two game-winning goals, earning her the team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player award for a third straight year. In her four seasons, McLaughlin started 73 of her 74 appearances, scoring eight goals and recording three assists.

Brandi Vega

Vega, 20, comes to Vancouver following a successful junior season playing with Fenter at Washington State University. This past year, the Carson City, Nevada, native made 23 appearances for the Cougars, scoring six goals and recording five assists to earn All-Pac-12 First Team and NSCAA All-Pacific Region Second Team honours. In her three years at the school, Vega has made 60 total appearances, scoring 13 goals and recording eight assists.

Whitecaps FC play their first home match against Colorado Rush on Friday, May 18 at Langley's McLeod Athletic Park, hosted by Langley United Youth Soccer Association. As in the past two seasons, Whitecaps FC will play their W-League home matches in various communities in British Columbia as part of the Whitecaps Women’s Soccer Series presented by Kia. Find the full Whitecaps FC 2012 W-League scheduleHERE.